Review of MDA registers for Lymphatic Filariasis: Findings, and potential uses in addressing the endgame elimination challenges

Abstract

Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in Ghana, and the country has implemented the GPELF strategy since 2000 with significant progress made in the control of the disease. However, after several years of mass drug administration (MDA) implementation, there is persistent transmission in 17 of the 98 endemic districts in the country. Current approaches to surveillance are clearly unable to target untreated individuals and new strategies are required to address the endgame challenges to enhance LF elimination as a public health problem in endemic countries. Community registers are used during MDAs to enumerate community members, their age, gender, house numbers, and records of their participation in MDAs. These MDA registers represent an untapped opportunity to identify and characterize noncompliance and inform appropriate programmatic actions. In this study, we analyzed the data presented in the registers to assess the coverage and individuals' compliance in MDA. Methods The information in the MDA registers were assessed to verify the reported coverages obtained from the district. The community registers were obtained from the district health offices and the data from each individual record was entered into a database. A simple questionnaire was used to cross-check the participation of study participants in the 2017 MDA. The questionnaire solicited data on: participation in the 2017 MDA, reasons for not taking part in the MDA, adverse events experienced, what was done for the adverse events, and willingness to participate in subsequent MDAs.

Prevention of bacterial complications of scabies using mass drug administration: A population-based, before-after trial in Fiji, 2018–2020

“…We measured the impact of the program after a single round of treatment. 40 , 41 The WHO informal consultation framework recommends three to five rounds, reflecting the translation of results from carefully conducted trials on small islands to the wider world. 16 It is possible that with more than one round of mass drug administration, an even greater impact on the bacterial complications of scabies could be realised.…”

COVID-19 related perception among some community members and frontline healthcare providers for NTD control in Ghana

“…In Ghana, and elsewhere, lymphatic filariasis MDA activities are already burdened with barriers to attaining optimal treatment coverage [ 26 – 29 ], facilitated by inaccurate reported data [ 30 – 32 ] and socio-cultural and health system challenges [ 33 ]. As such, more effort will be required to address the MDA challenges during the COVID-19 era.…”

The viability of utilising phone-based text messages in data capture and reporting morbidities due to lymphatic Filariasis by community health workers: a qualitative study in Kilwa district, Tanzania

“…Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most common disabling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) targeted for elimination globally [ 1 , 2 ] and in Tanzania [ 3 ]. Worldwide, around 51 million people are reported to be affected with LF [ 2 ].…”